Environment analysis is a long-standing commitment for us

Innovation is something we take seriously. Our experts work with customers to develop methods to make analysis much easier. We also work on environmentally friendly aspects and strive to achieve sustainable methods.

Innovation and progress are our forte. We're not just at the forefront of developing photometric methods; our cuvettes make it possible to perform water analysis without the need for a background in chemistry. We've been developing non-stop for over 75 years, and are still supporting our customers with many new developments today.

From basic photometers to high-tech instruments
Developed in 1939, the first flame photometer was a real milestone in laboratory analysis. It made routine analyses of sodium and potassium possible for the first time. The technology continued to improve after this initial development, leading to the integration of a reference beam. This meant that, alongside the actual measurement beam, there was a second beam measuring the direct light from the light source, preventing errors such as those caused by heat or ageing of the light source. Our latest photometers are high-tech instruments capable of independent analysis, sample evaluation and measurement data storage.

Simple measurements with no complex analysis
Dr. Bruno Lange developed the first cuvette tests back in 1958, enabling samples to be tested for specific parameters without the need for a background in chemistry. Initially, they were primarily used for blood and urine tests in the field of medicine.

Today, we provide cuvette tests for water analysis that are capable of measuring over 50 parameters and 90 ranges. They are used in all aspects of water analysis, from highly contaminated industrial waste water to detecting the slightest impurity in drinking water. Our cuvettes now also come with a barcode that is automatically recognised by the photometer, which then measures the correct parameter without any further input and even evaluates the corresponding calibration data.

Environment analysis is a long-standing commitment for us
We recognised this back in 1973 and since then we have committed ourselves to both environment analysis and industrial measurement technology. These areas are managed at our new facility in Düsseldorf, where we currently employ 320 staff.

We have been responsibly recycling used reagents at our Düsseldorf environment centre since 1978, with customers across Europe taking advantage of this service. The centre has also been a certified disposal centre since 1998 and has achieved a 98% return rate in Germany. We were awarded the "German Sustainability Award 2009" for our commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness, with the panel recognising the sustainability of cuvette tests in water analysis over their entire life cycle. HACH LANGE was also placed in the top 3 in "Germany's Most Sustainable Products and Services 2009" category, which featured over 400 contenders.
More about our German sustainability award.

Optical oxygen measurement
In 2003, we developed what is known as the optical method for measuring oxygen, LDO for short. This made analysis work much easier as it replaced the previously used electrolyte, electrodes and membrane with an oxygen sensitive layer. As a result, our LDO sensors no longer need to be calibrated. Unlike electrochemical sensors, the optical method does not use any oxygen. The measurement is therefore impervious to contamination deposits.

We are continuing to work with our customers on the further development of this and all our other measurement procedures. This involves regular customer surveys. We carry out functional tests to determine whether new or further developments actually support our customers in their day-to-day work. These tests allow our customers to try out the new instruments for themselves and see what they can do.